Hydroelectric power plant and method of generating power

ABSTRACT

A hydroelectric power plant includes a wedge having a fluid intake and a fluid exhaust. and a first fluid engine inside the wedge and located between the fluid intake and the fluid exhaust in a fluid path inside the wedge. The wedge includes at least upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces angled with respect to each other by at least approximately 15°. The wedge is shaped to divide a fluid flow into at least first and second flow portions and to receive at least a portion of the first flow portion in the fluid intake.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/597,967, filed Dec. 28. 2005, entitled, “AHydroelectric Power Plant and Method of Generating Power,” thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Power is often extracted from moving water by either damming the water(i.e., effectively stopping the water) and taking advantage of a flow ofwater downward from the dam, or by using a turbine within a water flow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One problem with the former solution is that power is most efficientlyextracted from moving water by not having to stop and then re-acceleratethe water. One problem with the latter solution is that harsh waterenvironments (such as silt, mud, salt, etc.) often cause fouling andregular maintenance of the turbines. The present invention aims to solveat least one of these and other problems.

In one embodiment, a hydroelectric power plant comprises: a wedgecomprising a fluid intake and a fluid exhaust; and a first fluid engineinside the wedge and located between the fluid intake and the fluidexhaust in a fluid path inside the wedge, wherein the wedge comprises atleast upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces angled withrespect to each other by at least approximately 15°, wherein the wedgeis shaped to divide a fluid flow into at least first and second flowportions and to receive at least a portion of the first flow portion inthe fluid intake.

In one aspect, at least a portion of the fluid path inside the wedge isapproximately vertical. In one aspect, the upper and lower surfaces areangled with respect to each other by approximately 30° to 60°. In oneaspect, at least one of the upper and lower surfaces is adjustable sothat the angle at which the upper and lower surfaces are angled withrespect to each other is adjustable.

In one aspect, the plant comprises a plurality of fluid intakes, whereinthe wedge is shaped to receive at least a portion of the first flowportion in the plurality of fluid intakes, wherein the plant furthercomprises at least one tangential fluid engine associated with each ofthe plurality of fluid intakes, each tangential fluid engine having arotor having an approximately vertical axis, whereby the each tangentialfluid engine is configured to convert kinetic energy of water impingingtangentially on the rotor to rotational kinetic energy of the rotor.

In one aspect, the first fluid engine comprises a tangential fluidengine having a rotor having an approximately vertical axis, whereby thefirst fluid engine is configured to convert kinetic energy of waterimpinging tangentially on the rotor to rotational kinetic energy of therotor. In one aspect, the first fluid engine comprises an axial fluidengine having a rotor having an approximately vertical axis, whereby thefirst fluid engine is configured to convert kinetic energy of waterimpinging axially on the rotor to rotational kinetic energy of therotor.

In one aspect, the plant further comprises: a plurality of tangentialfluid engines, each tangential fluid engine having a rotor having anapproximately vertical axis, whereby the each tangential fluid engine isconfigured to convert kinetic energy of water impinging tangentially onthe rotor to rotational kinetic energy of the rotor; and a plurality ofaxial fluid engines, each axial fluid engine having a rotor having anapproximately vertical axis, whereby the each axial fluid engine isconfigured to convert kinetic energy of water impinging axially on therotor to rotational kinetic energy of the rotor.

In one aspect, the plant further comprises a second fluid engine insidethe wedge and located between the fluid intake and the fluid exhaust inthe fluid path. In one aspect, the second fluid engine comprises anaxial fluid engine having a rotor having an approximately vertical axis,whereby the second fluid engine is configured to convert kinetic energyof water impinging axially on the rotor to rotational kinetic energy ofthe rotor.

In one aspect, the first fluid engine comprises a tangential fluidengine having a rotor having an approximately vertical axis, whereby thefirst fluid engine is configured to convert kinetic energy of waterimpinging tangentially on the rotor to rotational kinetic energy of therotor, and wherein the rotor of the tangential fluid engine is directlyconnected to the rotor of the axial fluid engine via a shaft.

In one aspect, the plant further comprises an electrical generatorlocated substantially above the wedge and connected to the rotors of thetangential fluid engine and the axial fluid engine.

In one aspect, the first fluid engine comprises a tangential fluidengine having a rotor having an approximately vertical axis, whereby thefirst fluid engine is configured to convert kinetic energy of waterimpinging tangentially on the rotor to rotational kinetic energy of therotor, and wherein the plant further comprises: a first electricalgenerator located substantially above the wedge and connected to therotor of the tangential fluid engine; and a second electrical generatorlocated substantially above tile wedge and connected to the rotor of theaxial fluid engine.

In one aspect, the plant further comprises an approximately verticallyoriented funnel located in the fluid path. In one aspect, the firstfluid engine is located after the funnel in the fluid path. In oneaspect, the first fluid engine is located in the funnel. In one aspect,the funnel comprises ridges to induce a preferred flow of fluid insidethe funnel.

In one aspect, the lower surface is approximately horizontal. In oneaspect, the fluid exhaust is shaped to expel fluid in a directionsubstantially parallel to a direction of fluid along the lower surface.

In one embodiment, a method of generating electricity comprises:providing a hydroelectric power plant, the plant comprising: a wedgecomprising a fluid intake and a fluid exhaust; and a first fluid engineinside the wedge and located between the fluid intake and the fluidexhaust in a fluid path inside the wedge, wherein the wedge comprises atleast upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces angled withrespect to each other by at least approximately 15°, wherein the wedgeis shaped to divide a fluid flow into at least first and second flowportions and to receive at least a portion of the first flow portion inthe fluid intake; and inserting the plant into a body of water.

In one aspect, the step of inserting comprises inserting the plant intothe body of water so that at a location of the insertion, a maximumheight of the wedge is approximately 30% to 70% a depth of the body ofwater at the location.

In one aspect, the step of inserting comprises inserting the plant intothe body of water so that the lower surface is at least approximatelyten feet above a floor of the body of water. In one aspect, the step ofinserting comprises inserting the plant into the body of water so thatthe lower surface is approximately flush with a floor of the body ofwater.

In one aspect, the plant further comprises an electrical generator, andwherein the step of inserting comprises inserting the plant into thebody of water so that the electrical generator is above a water level ofthe body of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a shows a side view of a power plant according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1 b shows a side view of a power plant according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 1 c shows a side view of a power plant according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a power plant according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a power plant according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 4 a shows a perspective view of a power plant according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 4 b shows a side view of the power plant shown in FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 4 c shows a perspective view of a power plant according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a fluid engine according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the use of “a,” “an,” or “the” can referto the plural. All examples given are for clarification only, and arenot intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a, a power plant 2 comprises a wedge 3 connectedto a generating station 18 via a shaft 20. The generating station 18includes at least one electrical generator 19, such as a generator thatconverts rotational energy to electricity, as known in the art. Thewedge 3 is located within a body of water having a Body Floor and aWater Level, and comprises an upper surface 12 and a lower surface 14,the surfaces 12, 14 angled with respect to each other by angle Θ. Thebody of water has a current having a fluid flow 15. The angle Θ may beat least approximately 15°, preferably ranges from approximately 30 to60°, and more preferably ranges from approximately 40 to 50°. The uppersurface 12 may be adjustable with respect to the lower surface 14 sothat the angle Θ can be changed, such as from 40° to 50° upon a slowingof the speed of fluid flow 15. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand how to make surfaces 12, 14 adjustable with respect to eachother. For example, wedge point 13 could be hinged and a hydraulicallyacting piston connecting opposing ends of the upper and lower surfaces12, 14 could raise or lower one with respect to the other.

The wedge 3 further comprises a fluid intake 4 and a fluid exhaust 6,and at least one engine 8, 9 located between the fluid intake 4 and thefluid exhaust 6 in a fluid path 10 inside the wedge 3. The wedge 3 isshaped to divide the fluid flow 15 of the body of water into at least afirst flow portion 16 and a second flow portion 17, and to receive atleast a portion of the first flow portion 16 in the fluid intake 4.

The wedge 3 is located in the body of water a height h2 from the BodyFloor, which height h2 may range from approximately 5 to 30 feet, andmore preferably from about 10 to 20 feet. The wedge 3 has a height hthat ranges from approximately 10 to 100 feet, and more preferably fromapproximately 20 to 30 feet. The ratio of the height h of the wedge 3 toa depth d of the body of water may range from approximately 0.2 to 0.8,and more preferably from approximately 0.4 to 0.6.

In FIG. 1 a, fluid intake 4 allows at least a portion of the first flowportion 16 to flow approximately horizontally into a first fluid engine8. The first fluid engine 8 may be a tangential fluid engine having arotor and an approximately vertical axis (i.e., vertical as shown inFIG. 1 a), whereby the engine 8 is configured to convert kinetic energyof a fluid impinging tangentially on the rotor to rotational kineticenergy of the rotor. Another feature of a tangential fluid engine may bethat the rotor spins on an axis that is approximately perpendicular to avector of the moving fluid. One such tangential fluid engine is a Peltonwheel, as known in the art, but other examples of tangential fluidengines are within the scope of the present invention.

Engines 9 may comprise axial fluid engines, each having a rotor havingan approximately vertical axis (i.e., vertical as shown in FIG. 1 a),whereby the axial fluid engine is configured to convert kinetic energyof water impinging axially on the rotor to rotational kinetic energy ofthe rotor. Another feature of an axial fluid engine may be that therotor spins on an axis that is approximately parallel to a vector of themoving fluid. One such axial fluid engine is an axial turbine, but otherexamples, such as the suction propeller described with reference to FIG.5, are within the scope of the present invention.

The engines 8, 9 in FIG. 1 a are shown sharing a common shaft or axle20, connecting the engines to the electrical generator 19. In oneembodiment, the rotors of each of engines 8, 9 are directly connected toeach other via the axle 20, but in other embodiments: a) rotors of someengines are connected to each other via gears and/or gear boxes, so thatdifferential rotation rates of the respective rotors can beaccommodated; or b) the power plant includes multiple axles (such aswill be discussed with reference to FIG. 2), and only some of the rotorsare directly connected to each other.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the fluid path 10 inside thewedge 3 is substantially or approximately vertical, so that the fluid(in this case, water of the body of water) flows downward at some pointsin the wedge 3.

The fluid exhaust 6 may be located at a back end 7 of the wedge 3, wherea lower pressure is induced by suction caused by first and second flowportions 16, 17 flowing around the wedge 3 (along upper and lowersurfaces 12, 14, respectively). Alternatively or in addition, the fluidexhaust 6′ may be located at a distal region (i.e., opposite the wedgepoint 13) of the lower surface 14, where a lower pressure is induced bythe fast moving flow of the second flow portion 17.

The fluid intake 4 may have a width (in a direction perpendicular to thepage of FIG. 1 a) that spans approximately the entire width of the wedge3, or only a portion of the width of the wedge 3, such as 10% to 50%.

Further, any combinations of engines 8, 9 (such as using one or more ofeach of tangential fluid engines and axial fluid engines in any orderalong fluid path 10) is within the scope of the present invention.Further, engines 8, 9 may include any engines capable of extractingpower from a fluid having static and/or dynamic pressures (i.e., notmoving or moving).

In one embodiment, wedge 3 is pivotable along a vertical axis (verticalas shown in FIG. 1 a), such as along the axis of axle 20, to allow thewedge point 13 to be pointed in a direction parallel to but opposite thevector of fluid flow 15, thus maximizing efficiency of the power plant2.

In operation, the power plant 2 produces electricity in the followingmanner. Wedge 3 (if rotatable about an axis) is rotated so that wedgepoint 13 faces a direction that is approximately parallel but oppositeto the vector of fluid flow 15. If the angle Θ is adjustable, then atleast one of surfaces 12, 14 is adjusted so that the optimal angle Θ isachieved, depending on the flow speed (and perhaps other factors) of thefluid flow 15. Fluid flow 15 is broken into first and second portions16, 17, by the wedge 3, causing at least one of the portions 16, 17 tospeed up relative to fluid flow 15 (due to a reduction in crosssectional area through which a constant mass flow rate of fluid canpass). At least a portion of the first portion 16 enters into fluidintake 4, the portion having a high total pressure (sum of static anddynamic pressures), and first engine 8 extracts power from the fluid andconverts the power to rotational power transferred to the electricalgenerator 19 via axle 20. The fluid continues along the fluid path 10 tosecond fluid engines 9, in which more power is extracted from the fluidand power is converted to rotational power transferred to the electricalgenerator 19 via axle 20. Finally, the fluid is exhausted via fluidexhaust 6 (or 6′) into the body of water.

The increase in velocity of the first portion 16 due to the wedge 3 isuseful in extracting power from the fluid (and increasing efficiencyover a comparable system that does not increase the velocity of thefluid). Further, the suction created at the fluid exhaust 6 (6′) furtherincreases the velocity of the fluid passing through the fluid path 10,thus allowing the system to extract more power and increase efficiency.In other words, in one embodiment, the fluid is “pushed” into the fluidintake 4 at a velocity higher than in the absence of the wedge 3, and“pulled” from the fluid exhaust 6 at a velocity higher than otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1 b, a power plant 2′ has been modified somewhat.Power plant 2′ is similar to power plant 2 in FIG. 1 a, except for thefollowing differences: it includes a wedge 3′ having a funnel 30 thatserves as the fluid intake 4′; and a tangential fluid engine may (or maynot) be lacking. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the firstportion 16 enters into fluid intake 4′ and then immediately funnelsdownward into the funnel 30 toward fluid engines 9, which may be axialfluid engines. The combination of a high total pressure of the firstportion 16 above upper surface 12 and a low pressure at the fluidexhaust 6 (6′) induces a high velocity flow of fluid along fluid path10′ and through engines 9, allowing power to be extracted andtransferred to the electrical generator 19 via axle 20. In thisembodiment, fluid flowing along path 10′ may flow approximatelyvertically at some points.

In one embodiment, one or more fluid engines 9 may be located along thefluid path 10′ in a substantially horizontal region just preceding thefluid exhaust 6.

Referring now to FIG. 1 c, a power plant 2″ has been modified somewhat.Power plant 2″ is similar to power plant 2′ in FIG. 1 b, except for thefollowing differences: it includes a wedge 3″ having a funnel 30′ thatprotrudes upward from the upper surface 12 and approaches the WaterLevel of the body of water; fluid flows into the fluid intake 4″ andtakes a fluid path 10″ that may rotate around the inside of funnel 30′and eventually proceeds downward toward and through engines 9, andfinally out fluid exhaust 6 (6′). In FIG. 1 c, the fluid flowing intofunnel 30′ may take on the form of a cyclone inside the funnel 30′. Thefunnel 30′ may or may not include ridges or protrusions about the insideof the funnel 30′ that are configured to induce the water to flow in apredetermined fashion. The ridges may take on a screw shape or any othershape.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a power plant 21 comprises a wedge 27 having aplurality of fluid intakes 25, a funnel 28, a plurality of tangentialfluid engines 22 each having an approximately vertical axis of rotation,and a plurality of axial fluid engines 24 each having an approximatelyvertical axis of rotation and located after the funnel 28 along thefluid path. The power plant 21 further comprises a generating station 25having a plurality of electrical generators 26 connected to engines 22,24 via axles 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotor of exactly one of thetangential fluid engines 22 is directly connected to exactly oneelectrical generator 26 via exactly one axle 23, the rotor of anotherone of the tangential fluid engines 22 is directly connected to anotherone of the electrical generators 26 via another one of the axles 23, andthe rotor of another one of tangential fluid engines 22 is directlyconnected to another one of the electrical generators 26, as well as therotors of all three axial fluid engines 24, via the remaining axle 23.

In FIG. 2, the plant 21 comprises at least one tangential fluid engine22 (i.e., the upper two, as shown in FIG. 2) for each of the pluralityof fluid intakes 25. Further, the lower tangential fluid engine 22 islocated within the funnel 28 to take advantage of the speed of waterrotating inside the funnel 28. The axial fluid engines 24 then takeadvantage of the speed of water flowing downward from the lower portionof the funnel 28.

In operation, at least a portion of water flowing LIP the upper surfaceof the wedge 27 enters the fluid intakes 25 at high velocity. The highvelocity fluid then impinges tangentially on the cups or blades of eachrespective tangential fluid engine 22, causing the rotor of eachrespective tangential fluid engine 22 to rotate, thus poweringrespective electrical generators 26 via respective axles 23. Next, waterflows cyclonically and downward in a predetermined rotation directionwithin the funnel 28 toward the lower tangential fluid engine 28, whichthen extracts further energy from the water as the water pushes thecups, blades, etc. of the lower tangential fluid engine 28. The energyextracted by the rotor of the lower tangential fluid engine 22 istransferred to the respective electrical generator 26 via respectiveaxle 23.

Next, water flows downward from the funnel 28 toward the fluid exhaust(not shown) of the wedge 27, passing through a plurality of axial flowengines 24, which extract energy from the downward flow of the water.This energy is transferred to the respective electrical generator 26 viarespective axle 23.

Any of the features of FIG. 2 may be mixed, matched, added, oreliminated to suit design requirements. For example, each fluid engine22, 24 may have its own associated axle 23 and/or electrical generator26. Alternatively or in addition, any set of fluid engines 22, 24 mayshare an axle 23 and/or electrical generator 26. For example, in oneembodiment, rotors of all fluid engines 22, 24 are directly connected toeach other via a single axle 23 that transfers power to the generatingstation 25. Further, any fluid engine 22, 24 may comprise a gear box orother gearing mechanism to allow for differential preferred rotationrates of the various elements of plant 21—e.g., to allow the rotor of anaxial fluid engine 24 to rotate much more quickly than the rotor of anelectrical generator 26 to which it is connected.

Further, the plant 21 may include only a single fluid intake 25 orseveral, and may include only one tangential fluid engine 22 or aplurality, or one axial fluid engine 24 or a plurality, etc. The plant21 may include any type of fluid engine capable of extracting usableenergy from a fluid having dynamic and/or static pressure. Further, thefunnel 28 (and/or the lower tangential fluid engine 22 that makes use ofthe cyclonic fluid flow induced by the funnel 28) may be eliminated ormodified. Further, the rotors of any or all of the engines 22, 24 mayrotate at different rates.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a power plant 42 comprises a generating station46 and a wedge 48 connected via an axle 60. The wedge 48 comprises anupper surface 50 and a lower surface 52, and a funnel 54 having a fluidintake 56, an elbow 62, and a fluid exhaust 58. The wedge 48 furthercomprises at least one fluid engine (not shown), which may be locatedinside the funnel 54, the rotor of which is connected to the axle 60 andtransfers power extracted from the moving water to an electricalgenerator (not shown) inside the generating station 46.

In operation, water flowing toward the wedge point of the wedge 48divides along the upper and lower surfaces 50, 52, and thus acceleratesalong these surfaces. Because of the higher velocity of water flowingalong surfaces 50, 52 and eventually past the wedge 48, a total fluidpressure along back surface 44 (and at fluid exhaust 58) is lower thanthe total fluid pressure of the water before reaching the wedge point.Thus, a Suction is induced, causing water to be sucked into the fluidintake 56, through the funnel 54 and corresponding fluid engine(s), andout the fluid exhaust 58. Power is extracted from this high velocityfluid and transferred to the generating station 46 via axle 60.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, a power plant 72 comprises agenerating station 76 and a wedge 78, the wedge 78 having upper andlower surfaces 80, 82 and a funnel 84 having a fluid intake 86, a fluidexhaust 88, an elbow 92, and at least one fluid engine (not shown)connected to the generating station 76 via axle 90. The embodiment shownin FIGS. 4 a and 4 b is similar to that shown in FIG. 3, with severaldifferences. First, the fluid intake 86 allows approximatelyhorizontally flowing water to flow into a fluid engine (such as atangential fluid engine) so that the water does not need tosubstantially change directions before power is extracted from it.Further, the lower surface 82 includes a curvature or contoured shape 83to help smoothly direct and accelerate the flow of water to and aroundthe fluid exhaust 88. Further, the upper surface 80 may also oralternatively include such a curvature or contoured shape (not shown) tohelp smoothly direct and accelerate the flow of water into the fluidintake 86. The curvatures (if implemented) may be convex or concave,depending on the design requirements. Either of the embodiments shown inFIGS. 3, or 4 a/4 b may have a smoother elbow than shown, to allow for amore laminar flow of water through the wedge.

Referring now to FIG. 4 c, a power plant 72′ is similar to power plant72 shown in FIG. 4 a, including a wedge 78′ similar to wedge 78 in FIG.4 a, with an exception that the wedge 78′ may include, alternatively orin addition, a vertically aligned fluid intake 96 that allows water toflow into funnel 84 (and/or any fluid engine located therein) in anapproximately vertical direction.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows one possible embodiment of a suction propellertype fluid engine. The fluid engine 100 comprises an outer casing 102and a rotor 104 having rotor blades 106. The fluid engine 100 may belocated inside any of the funnels discussed with respect to previousembodiments. Thus, the outer casing 102 may or may not correspond tosuch funnels. The rotor 104 may be connected to an electrical generatorvia an axle (not shown), and/or may be connected to rotor(s) of otherfluid engine(s). In operation, a flow 108 of water from the top of theengine 100 (top as shown in FIG. 5) impinges on blades 106, causing therotor 104 to rotate. The suction propeller type fluid engine 100 shownin FIG. 5 may be used alone, in conjunction with one or moretangential-type, axial-type, or other known fluid engines, or may beomitted altogether, in any of the power plant embodiments previouslydiscussed.

Most of the embodiments described herein have represented simpleversions for clarity of explanation. As understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art, many of the features and/or aspects of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be “mixed and matched” to the extent physicallypossible to satisfy individual design requirements. As merely an exampleof such allowable mixing and matching, an axial fluid engine may be usedin place of a tangential flow engines particularly where a device (asknown in the art) is used to change the axis of rotation of the axialfluid engine's rotor (such as allowing a rotor having a horizontal axisto rotate a vertical axis). Any fluid engine known in the art (e.g.,Pelton, Francis, Kaplan, etc.) may be used with the present invention.Further, any of the fluid intakes described herein may include a screenor other known device for preventing fish and other debris from enteringfluid engines of the power plant. Further, in all embodiments shown, thelower surface is approximately horizontal. However, this need not be thecase. For example, the upper surface and lower surface may both beangles with respect to the horizon. For example, the upper surface maybe angled positively relative to the horizon at, say, 15°, the lowersurface may be angled negatively relative to the horizon at, say, 20°,thus resulting in a relative angle between the upper and lower surfacesto be 35°. The fluid exhaust may exhaust fluid in a directionsubstantially parallel to a direction of fluid flow along the lowersurface (e.g., see FIGS. 3 and 4 b), or may exhaust the fluid in adirection substantially angled with respect to the direction of fluidflow along the lower surface (e.g., exhaust 6′ in FIG. 1 b).

As another example, the word “wedge” as used herein is not limited to anobject having two flat surfaces that are angled with respect to eachother, or an object that is perfectly triangular in cross section. Bothupper and lower surfaces (e.g., 12 and 14 in FIG. 1 a) may be curved,contoured, rounded, or shaped other than as flat surfaces. Moregenerally, a “wedge” used herein is a device used to separate fluid flow15 (FIG. 1 a) into first and second flow portions, and preferablyreduces or limits turbulence that may arise from such separation. Inother words, preferably, the wedge divides the fluid flow 15 into twoportions having substantially smooth or laminar flow. The wedge may, forexample, be an incline. As one possible example in which at least onesurface of the wedge is not flat, the upper surface may be curvedconcave so that angle Θ is very shallow (e.g., less than 5° or 10°) nearthe wedge point 13, and increases (e.g., to greater than 30°) furtherfrom the wedge point.

As another example, one or more fluid engines may be located in asubstantially horizontal region just preceding (in the fluid path 10′ inFIG. 1 b) the fluid exhaust 6. In other words, instead of or in additionto fluid engines 9 being located in a substantially vertical region ofthe fluid path 10′, fluid engines may be located in a substantiallyhorizontal region of the fluid path 10′. As another example, the portionof the fluid path (e.g., 10 in FIG. 1 a) that is substantially verticalmay, e.g., be at an angle of between 75° and 105° with respect to thebody floor.

The present invention also includes a method of generating electricity,including providing any of the power plants described herein andinserting said plant(s) into a body of water, such as an ocean, a lake,a river, a sea, or any other body of water. The method may includeselecting a body of water and a location within the body such that aratio of a height of the wedge (h in FIG. 1 a) relative to a depth ofthe body (d in FIG. 1 a) falls within a particular range, such asapproximately 20% to 80%, and more preferably 30% to 70%, and morepreferably 40% to 60%, and more preferably approximately 50%. The methodmay include inserting the plant(s) into the water body such that thelower surface is approximately flush with, or at least approximately 10feet above, or at least approximately 20 feet above, or at leastapproximately 30 feet above, the floor of the water body. The method mayinclude placing the generating station above the water level of thewater body.

1. A hydroelectric power plant, comprising: a wedge comprising a fluidintake and a fluid exhaust; and a first fluid engine inside the wedgeand located between the fluid intake and the fluid exhaust in a fluidpath inside the wedge, wherein the wedge comprises at least upper andlower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces angled with respect to eachother by at least approximately 15°, wherein the wedge is shaped todivide a fluid flow into at least first and second flow portions and toreceive at least a portion of the first flow portion in the fluidintake.
 2. The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 1, whereinat least a portion of the fluid path inside the wedge is approximatelyvertical.
 3. The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 1,wherein the upper and lower surfaces are angled with respect to eachother by approximately 30° to 60°.
 4. The hydroelectric power plant asclaimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfacesis adjustable so that the angle at which the upper and lower surfacesare angled with respect to each other is adjustable.
 5. Thehydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plantcomprises a plurality of fluid intakes. wherein the wedge is shaped toreceive at least a portion of the first flow portion in the plurality offluid intakes, wherein the plant further comprises at least onetangential fluid engine associated with each of the plurality of fluidintakes, each tangential fluid engine having a rotor having anapproximately vertical axis, whereby the each tangential fluid engine isconfigured to convert kinetic energy of water impinging tangentially onthe rotor to rotational kinetic energy of the rotor.
 6. Thehydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fluidengine comprises a tangential fluid engine having a rotor having anapproximately vertical axis, whereby the first fluid engine isconfigured to convert kinetic energy of water impinging tangentially onthe rotor to rotational kinetic energy of the rotor.
 7. Thehydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fluidengine comprises an axial fluid engine having a rotor having anapproximately vertical axis, whereby the first fluid engine isconfigured to convert kinetic energy of water impinging axially on therotor to rotational kinetic energy of the rotor.
 8. The hydroelectricpower plant as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality oftangential fluid engines, each tangential fluid engine having a rotorhaving an approximately vertical axis, whereby the each tangential fluidengine is configured to convert kinetic energy of water impingingtangentially on the rotor to rotational kinetic energy of the rotor; anda plurality of axial fluid engines, each axial fluid engine having arotor having an approximately vertical axis, whereby the each axialfluid engine is configured to convert kinetic energy of water impingingaxially on the rotor to rotational kinetic energy of the rotor.
 9. Thehydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 1, further comprising asecond fluid engine inside the wedge and located between the fluidintake and the fluid exhaust in the fluid path.
 10. The hydroelectricpower plant as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second fluid enginecomprises an axial fluid engine having a rotor having an approximatelyvertical axis, whereby the second fluid engine is configured to convertkinetic energy of water impinging axially on the rotor to rotationalkinetic energy of the rotor.
 11. The hydroelectric power plant asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the first fluid engine comprises atangential fluid engine having a rotor having an approximately verticalaxis, whereby the first fluid engine is configured to convert kineticenergy of water impinging tangentially on the rotor to rotationalkinetic energy of the rotor, and wherein the rotor of the tangentialfluid engine is directly connected to the rotor of the axial fluidengine via a shaft.
 12. The hydroelectric power plant as claimed inclaim 11, further comprising an electrical generator locatedsubstantially above the wedge and connected to the rotors of thetangential fluid engine and the axial fluid engine.
 13. Thehydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 10, wherein the firstfluid engine comprises a tangential fluid engine having a rotor havingan approximately vertical axis, whereby the first fluid engine isconfigured to convert kinetic energy of water impinging tangentially onthe rotor to rotational kinetic energy of the rotor, and wherein theplant further comprises: a first electrical generator locatedsubstantially above the wedge and connected to the rotor of thetangential fluid engine; and a second electrical generator locatedsubstantially above the wedge and connected to the rotor of the axialfluid engine.
 14. The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 1,further comprising all approximately vertically oriented funnel locatedin the fluid path.
 15. The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim14, wherein the first fluid engine is located after the funnel in thefluid path.
 16. The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 14,wherein the first fluid engine is located in the funnel.
 17. Thehydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 14, wherein the funnelcomprises ridges to induce a preferred flow of fluid inside the funnel.18. The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein thelower surface is approximately horizontal.
 19. The hydroelectric powerplant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid exhaust is shaped toexpel fluid in a direction substantially parallel to a direction offluid along the lower surface.
 20. A method of generating electricity,comprising: providing a hydroelectric power plant, the plant comprising:a wedge comprising a fluid intake and a fluid exhaust; and a first fluidengine inside the wedge and located between the fluid intake and thefluid exhaust in a fluid path inside the wedge, wherein the wedgecomprises at least upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lowersurfaces angled with respect to each other by at least approximately15°, wherein the wedge is shaped to divide a fluid flow into at leastfirst and second flow portions and to receive at least a portion of thefirst flow portion in the fluid intake; and inserting the plant into abody of water.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the stepof inserting comprises inserting the plant into the body of water sothat at a location of the insertion, a maximum height of the wedge isapproximately 30% to 70% a depth of the body of water at the location.22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the step of insertingcomprises inserting the plant into the body of water so that the lowersurface is at least approximately ten feet above a floor of the body ofwater.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the step ofinserting comprises inserting the plant into the body of water so thatthe lower surface is approximately flush with a floor o f the body ofwater.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the plant furthercomprises an electrical generator, and wherein the step of insertingcomprises inserting the plant into the body of water so that theelectrical generator is above a water level of the body of water.